Speed Talk

Used Lifters

Used Lifters

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 7:07 pm

by cgarb

I just got a some used lifters and was cleaning them up and noticed the previous owner/builder cut a small groove looks like a Dremel from the oil band to the pushed oiling hole. I assume to increase oil to the rockers. Why would someone need that much oil up there? Would this be a problem in a drag race engine with wet sump?

Re: Used Lifters

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 7:35 pm

by cgarb

IMG_20171101_193445_01.jpg

Re: Used Lifters

I just got a some used lifters and was cleaning them up and noticed the previous owner/builder cut a small groove looks like a Dremel from the oil band to the pushed oiling hole. I assume to increase oil to the rockers. Why would someone need that much oil up there? Would this be a problem in a drag race engine with wet sump?

Probably because the oil may have been restricted somewhere else.

Re: Used Lifters

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 7:58 pm

by pamotorman

circle track engines need to keep the valve springs cool and the oil doe this. high dollar circle track engines use spring oilers in the rocker covers to keep the springs in a oil bath all the time . what you have allows the spring to get more cooling oil at a lower cost

Re: Used Lifters

I just got a some used lifters and was cleaning them up and noticed the previous owner/builder cut a small groove looks like a Dremel from the oil band to the pushed oiling hole. I assume to increase oil to the rockers. Why would someone need that much oil up there? Would this be a problem in a drag race engine with wet sump?

Ive done that to all of my roller builds from 7500 street to 9800 race with an .06 restricter in the back wet sump , no issues. You would be surprised how much oil still gets to the rockers/ springs with that mod and a restrictor in the rear and pushrod
Tom

Re: Used Lifters

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 8:50 pm

by cgarb

Another note on lifters. If you are checking lifters that are used, what are you looking for in wear? I have been cleaning these with parts solevent and compressed air drying them off. everynow and then you can roll the wheel and feel a rough spot, how would one tell if that is debris in the rollers or an actual bad roller? I can feel very little to no play in the wheel and axle. The deal is I have 2 sets exact same lifters. Trying to pick the best 16 lifters to keep as spares and send the worst set back to crower to be rebuilt.

Re: Used Lifters

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 11:41 pm

by MadBill

If it's been spun and flushed a number of times and the rough spot stays, I'd assume it's damage, not debris.

Been there re sorting rollers; it's like that old Johnny Cash song: "...put on my cleanest dirty shirt..."

Re: Used Lifters

If it's been spun and flushed a number of times and the rough spot stays, I'd assume it's damage, not debris.

Been there re sorting rollers; it's like that old Johnny Cash song: "...put on my cleanest dirty shirt..."

Yeah, Bill, one for the old outlaws among us. Those of us who build obsolete engines spend a lot of time tryin' to find that cleanest dirty shirt.

FWIW, it was Johnny Cash covering Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down". In a 2013 interview, Kristofferson said the song "opened up a whole lot of doors for me. So many people that I admired, admired it. Actually, it was the song that allowed me to quit working for a living." While I love 'em both, I like Kris' version the best, but the biggest success for the song came from the Johnny Cash performance, taped live at the Ryman Auditorium during a taping of The Johnny Cash Show as part of a "Ride This Train" segment, with filmed background visuals showing a down and out wanderer roaming around the Public Square area of Shelbyville. Cash's version won the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year in 1970 and hit number one on the country chart. R.I.P. John.

And

Re: Used Lifters

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 11:00 am

by fordified

I know that this is the internet and all but I have a true story to tell you.

I bought a used engine with top of the line lifters in it. I won't say the manufacturer because I don't think its their fault. When I disassembled the engine a couple lifters had that crunching feeling when turning the wheels. I sent them back to the manufacturer for cleaning and inspection. When they sent them back to me they said they were okay. I checked to see if there was any change to the wheels that seemed iffy. There was no change. I sent the lifters to the engine builder and asked him to check them out. He said they were okay.

Third pull on the dyno and one of the crunchy lifters failed. Took out the cam journal of the new cam and sprayed shrapnel everywhere. Two piston skirts on the new pistons were scored and had shavings embedded in them and the news rings were unusable. The cylinders of the two pistons were scored. The oil pump was also hurt.

Take it from me and put the best lifters of the bunch in a box and send them back to the manufacturer for a complete rebuild whether they need it or not. It's cheap insurance.

If I had bought new lifters in the first place I would have been thousands ahead in the long run. I should have done that and didn't and paid a big price for it.

Re: Used Lifters

I think that grooving the lifter bore would work better because it consistently oils the leading edge of the lifter/cam interface.

Re: Used Lifters

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 1:07 pm

by pamotorman

I had a policy never rebuild a engine I did not build originally because you have no idea what was quality of the parts used and how much they were used

Re: Used Lifters

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 2:17 pm

by cgarb

The motor is getting the rebuilt set. Just keep the extra set around so I can cycle them out. The one set feels absolutely fine except for 1 pair. I think I'm going to send the 1 pair and 1 set for rebuild, that way if I would notice a lash change or something I could swap out a set and keep racing while the rebuild is getting done. They are Crower HIPPO .903 lifters for a SBC. Probably way overkill for my bracket set up anyway, but I like knowing I have good stuff.

GM 2.8 V6 lifters also had the oiling flat, if a stock-type lifter will work for your application. Or you can rig a holder for your cap cutter and make your own.

The flats seem to work as well as the fancy EDM'd oil holes, and you can do it to any lifters.

BTW, on GM used to sell Delco-branded lifters that had a welded Stellite wear face. They were a big-truck part as far as I know. If you keep an eye on old-dealership or NOS parts auctions you can occasionally score a set.